Saturday & Sunday, April 18 & 19, 2026
with Melanie Serkes in East Lyme, CT
In this two-day workshop, we will break down the process of hot patina application for silicon bronze,
beginning with surface preparation and finishing with sealing methods. We will discuss a variety of
chemicals and I will demonstrate application providing tips and tricks to make your patinas sing. This
workshop requires no previous experience and is for anyone looking to broaden their understanding of
patina. Whether you’ve applied your own patinas or are simply looking for the vocabulary to better
communicate with your foundry, this workshop can help. If you are looking to begin working on your
own patinas, this workshop will get you on the right path to setup shop in your own space. We will
discuss best practices and the patinas demonstrated can be based on the needs and questions of the
group. Yes, we will cover silver nitrate on Day 2!
Ms. Serkes has over 15 years of patina experience working full-time in bronze art foundries in and around Philadelphia. Her patina work has been featured as part of the Fourth Plinth Project in London’s Trafalgar Square, and the Broadway Mall Association’s rotating exhibition in New York. Ms. Serkes received a BFA from Boston University.
$500/person*
$300/person Saturday only (we will cover basics to completion; Day 2 will be more
exploratory/complex applications)
*if you attend with another person, you can receive 10% off your fee for the full workshop
Email NESA member Gillian Cristy – gillian@gillianchristy.com – to attend.
There may be options to carpool to the workshop.
